Just picked up this old Yamaha FG-312 II 12 string in a trade with a guy on Craigslist. He thought it might be from the late 70's and for a guitar that age, it's in decent shape. It plays pretty well, and sounds way better than I expected.

Anyone have one of these? Or anyone know anyting about them, such as tonewoods, where it was built, etc?

Great pickup. My own FG 340 II was made in 1984. It has the date stamped right on the label. Get a mirror and look around for a date inside that guitar. The label should also have the country of origin in very small print, bottom center. Mine was made in Taiwan even though my tuners say "Yamaha Japan".

I do not know what woods the 312 is made of, but my 340 is all laminates- spruce top and beautiful 3-piece bookmatched Indian Rosewood back and sides. Ebony bridge and fretboard. Laminates or not, the guitar sounds terrific and is LOUD. I mean, LOUD. And the bass is depp without being flabby or boomy.

Grain o' salt to be taken here. The specs for the FG-340 II list Indian Rosewood for the fingerboard and bridge and Mahogany for the sides and back, neither of which is true on my own example. I poked around on the web and found others like mine.

I recently picked up a really nice 1978 FG-312 II that was made in Japan. The top is spruce and the back/sides are mohagany, all gloss. Tuners are unmarked and closed-back. I don't know anything else about it other than the fact that this old Yammy booms!